From the prison in Casablanca where he is detained, Abou Elkassim
Britel, a Moroccan man with Italian citizenship whose rendition
in 2002 was denounced and documented by the European Parliament
commission investigating the CIA abduction and rendition programme,
has announced, via his wife Khadija, that he will conduct a hunger
strike on 19 and 20 November 2007.

Text of the announcement and background (from the website - http://www.giustiziaperkassim.net/
- where the announcement, as well as further information, is
also available in Italian, French and Arabic):

"In the name and for account of my husband Abou Elkassim
Britel, Italian and Moroccan citizen - register 69546, jail of
Äin Bourja, Casablanca - I communicate his firm intention
to undertake an hunger strike to get the liberation that is due
to him, after his innocence has been shown from more parts and
for a long time(*).

We ask to the Authorities for a ready and effective answer to
this application, without which my husband - illegally deprived
of his freedom from 2002, victim of extraordinary rendition,
of tortures and a lot of other things - will be feel compelled
to continue his own action to the bitter end."

Abou ElKassim Britel will make an hunger strike on 19 and 20th
November 2007 to support this declaration.

Particularly see:

- European Parliament's Resolution on the alleged use of European
countries by the CIA for transportation and illegal detention
of prisoners : " 63. Condemns the extraordinary rendition
of Italian citizen Abou Elkassim Britel, who was arrested in
Pakistan in March 2002 by the Pakistani police and interrogated
by US and Pakistani officials, and subsequently rendered to the
Moroccan authorities and imprisoned in the detention facility
'Temara', where he remains detained; emphasises that the criminal
investigations in Italy against Abou Elkassim Britel were closed
with no charges having been brought; 64. Regrets that, according
to the documentation provided to the Temporary Committee by Abou
Elkassim Britel's lawyer, the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs
was in 'constant cooperation' with foreign secret services concerning
the case of Abou Elkassim Britel, following his arrest in Pakistan;
65. Urges the Italian Government to take concrete steps in order
to obtain the immediate release of Abou Elkassim Britel ",
February 07;

- the filing of the investigation from the Italian magistracy
" the checks that have been undertaken, telephone interceptions
and checks on bank accounts have not provided any support to
the allegations ", September 06

- Amnesty International: Italy - A briefing to the UN Committee
against Torture, April 07.
Previous Statewatch coverage on this case:

In-depth background:

Italy: Documents sent to European Parliament committee on renditions
allege other renditions and details of Abu Omar cover-up and
the Britel rendition:

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